Start shopping for a florist as soon as you book your reception. Look at their work on display and ask for photos of the work they have done. Keep in mind the style of your dress, the theme of the wedding and the time of year, and of course, your budget. The more information you can give the florist, the more ideal the flowers will be. Tell them what you like and don't like. Explain the effect you are trying to achieve and even take along a sample of fabric from your dress/s – some flowers look better against certain textures.

Tip: Start creating a scrap-book of photos of flowers that you like. Look for photos that contain what you are looking for in; colour, style, shape, size, flowers and even theme. Then use this book to show your florist what you like!

Remember, despite the fresh picked look of bridal bouquets, a lot of work goes into designing, arranging and wiring the flowers. Some bouquets may involve individual wiring and wrapping of tiny buds by hand. The mark of a good florist is the ability to make even a structured bouquet look totally natural.

Some flowers are seasonal and others do not work well in certain climates. Also consider the shape of your body; some bouquets can make you look taller or shorter. But most importantly, make sure the florist you choose has a full understanding of your needs, they should have detailed written notes and even photos. The better the understanding the better the chance you will get your dream bouquet.